Rotterdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
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Last trip on the Rotterdam

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Rotterdam
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al50
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Dec 2009
Cabin: Vista Suite

I have been on the Noordam, Zandam, Westerdam and before this trip last June, the Rotterdam. Until now I have always enjoyed Holland America Cruises and look forward to the ship, ports and great service of HAL.

This cruise compared with June was completely opposite. From the time we boarded until the time we left the ship, there were huge contrasts. Some of the highlights... A 3 hour wait to board on December 16, air conditioning in the cabin that could NOT be fixed for the entire cruise, a toilet that failed and not repaired for a day, few public restrooms working when needed, hot or freezing temperatures in main dining room and theater, elevators not working around the ship, rust everywhere, paint chips not cleaned up, constant painting (not just usual maintenance items) bathroom supplies not replenished, new retreat useless most of the trip, three and half hour meals in Pinnacle, poor activity planning, only once where staff followed up on reported problem and almost missed flight because HAL employees not supervising stairwells and coordinating number announcements. To add insult, charged for items not used after final bill.

Frankly, the ship was in extremely poor shape, I'm guessing that all normal maintenance was curtailed and the ship was not ready for passengers. Although there were a few shining stars among the crew, clearly, they were overworked and completely overwhelmed by the problems and work needed on the Rotterdam to accommodate passengers.

Cabin Review

Vista Suite

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